Register for Coffee & Conversation

FAMily Living

June 2021

Our Next Support Group Will Be:

Coffee & Conversation - Saturday, June 26, 11AM - 12:30 PM ET, on Zoom

Grab a coffee and join us for our June monthly meeting. What is on your mind about life with fibromyalgia? If you have a topic(s) you would like to discuss at the meeting but would prefer to have us share them, please email Sharon.

Your first meeting is free. Membership is just $16 for the year. Memberships available online.

To attend the Zoom meeting, simply register and you will receive an email link to the meeting. If you have any issues registering for the meeting or using Zoom, please contact Sharon. We will do our best to help you. We want to stay connected with you.

Did you know that you can join Zoom meetings just using a telephone? Your meeting confirmation will include a phone number and passcode you can use instead of a computer. Just look near the bottom of the confirmation email for the telephone information. Tip: If you experience computer issues during or before a meeting, keep this idea in mind.

Email us to confirm American Sign Language Interpreting Services - Must confirm services 24 hours before the meeting - thank you!

President's Message

Hello!

I have been taking some time off to help family with medical issues. Health is so important. Life really comes to a screeching halt when health is missing. I know I am preaching this to the choir. Anyway, it has reminded me how important it is to take good care of ourselves and learn all we can to live a better life with chronic illness.

If you are practicing self-management for fibromyalgia - congratulations and keep up the good work! If you have fallen off the self-management wagon, it's never too late to jump back on. If you are new to learning about self-management for fibromyalgia, please join us at an upcoming meeting as it is a common topic we discuss.

Our next Fibromyalgia Support & Education Group will be on Saturday, June 26, from 11 AM - 12:30 PM ET. Grab some coffee (or your favorite beverage), and join us for Coffee & Conversation. I have had some requests for a daytime meeting, so this will take the place of our usual June Monday night meeting (note: there is no meeting on June 14).

Wishing you less pain, more understanding, and a better tomorrow!

Sharon Waldrop, NBC-HWC

President & Founder, FAM

Help us improve lives by making a donation today!

Tips and tricks icon. Tips and tricks website button on blue low poly background.

Focus on What You Can Do, and Not What You Can't Do

“Instead of ‘to do’ lists that are disheartening for me when stuff does not get done, I make an ‘I’ve done’ list to count my accomplishments.” This is from author Paige Wyant on The Mighty's article, "26 'Hacks' That Can Make Life With Fibromyalgia Easier."

Self-Compassion is a Valuable Tool For Fibromyalgia

At our last Support & Education Group meeting, we discussed how Self Compassion can positively impact your fibromyalgia. Specifically, “Through self-compassion we become an inner ally instead of an inner enemy," says Dr. Kristen Neff, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Learning self-compassion teaches you how to be a good friend to yourself, enhancing your fibromyalgia self-management skills. Here are some resources that can help you learn self-compassion:

The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook, Kristin Neff, PhD and Christopher Germer PhD

The Science of Mindfulness and Self Compassion, Kristin Neff PhD, and Shauna Shapiro PhD (Audiobook)

self-compassion.org (free guided meditations by Kristin Neff)

Insight Timer, (Search Kristin Neff in the free app for free meditations)

Scientists are conducting experiments in the life science research laboratory.

The Covid Vaccine & Fibromyalgia

Are you nervous about getting the Covid vaccine? Fibromyalgia Health Coach Tami Stackelhouse shares her experience with the vaccine and tips for minimizing reactions on her latest Fibromyalgia Podcast episode. Experts do recommend getting the vaccine if you do have fibromyalgia.

What to Know About Telehealth for Fibromyalgia

Telehealth is best suited for when you just need to have a conversation and not be physically examined. These appointments may include:

Medication or treatment follow-ups
Reporting side effects (nonemergent ones)
Medication refills
Reviewing test results
When you can’t risk exposure to a disease

Read the full article at verywellhealth.com.

For Your Calendar